Fire-escape.



PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905.

.R. s. McPHEET-BRS.

FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1904.

III

UNITED STATES ROBERT SAMUEL MOPHEETERS, OF FAIRFIELD, IOWVA.

FIRE-ESCAPE,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

Application filed November 21, 1904. Serial No. 233,761.

To all whom it nuty concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBER SAMUEL Mo- PHEETERS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Fairflcld, in the county of Jefferson and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire-escapes, and more particularly to that class of lire-escapes known as chutes.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide novel means in a device of this kind whereby the passage of a body through the chute is retarded at intervals to prevent any injury to said body.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of the character noted that can be easily detached from its supporting position.

Finally, an object of this invention is to produce a device of the character described that will be simple in construction, eflicient in practice, and economical to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accom panyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, in which Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective, showing the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in crosssection of the chute.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a tubular chute made of any preferred flexible material. This tube may be made in one piece or of any number of detachable sections, according to the requirements of practice. One end of the chute is securely fastened to ametallic ring 2, which has secured thereto the suitably-spaced supporting-arms 3. Each of these arms has a curved portion at to form a hook to engage the frame of a window or the like and is also bent to form the upwardly-projecting arm 5, terminating in an eye 6. In this eye is secured an end of a flexible connection or rope 7 which is of sufiicient length to reach the ground when the chute is in applied position. A'chute of this character may be kept in a room or carried by a fire apparatus. When stored in a room, it is but necessary to suitably secure the arms 4 and then throw the chute out of a window. The person descends through the chute. After all have made their escape the chute is removed from its support by pulling on the ropes 7, as will be readily understood. By having the arms spaced apart the chute is held against undue rotary movement, which would tend to dislodge the arms from their position.

Within the chute and secured thereto are a series of expansible members 8, having central apertures 9, through which the body enters, it being understood that the said members will retard the descent of the body to a sufficient degree to prevent injury to the said body. The members are preferably of elastic material in order that they may yield to permit the passage of bodies of difierent sizes, though they may be of flexible material, and in most cases flexible members will answer the purpose.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide the members in order that they will not stop the passage of the body through the chute, but that the said body may be retarded, or, in other words, that the fall may be broken by this series of members.

The members are preferably semispherical,

bowl like, and they are placed in the chute with their greatest diameter toward the top, and when the body contacts with them the weight of the body is sufficient to cause the expansion of the members, which expansion will serve to enlarge the opening until the body is released and is free to descend to the next succeeding member, where this operation is repeated.

While I have shown the chute suspended by hooks, it will be apparent that such chutes might be carried by extension-ladders of a fire apparatus, or they may be suspended by any other hoisting mechanism.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be fully understood from the foregoing description, it being understood that various changes may be made in the proportions and details of construction for successfully carrying the invention into practice without departing from the scope thereof.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, a chute and a series of retarding members provided with. openings arranged within the chute.

2. In a device of the character described, a chute, spring-arms carried by one end of the chute, said arms being bent to form hooks terminating in arms and flexible means secured to the arms of the hooks.

3. In a device of the character described, a

chute, retarding members having openings arranged within the chute, said members being shaped like a hollow semisphere.

4. In a device of the character described, a chute, retarding members having openings arranged within the'chute, said members being shaped like a hollow semisphere, the greater diameter of the member being toward the top of the chute.

ROBERT SAMUEL MCPHEETERS.

Witnesses:

T. J. DIGKEY, A. D. LONG. 

